Spring Break
Community focuses on energy efficiency
Panel discusses increasing awareness
By: Daniel Divine
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
Woodward said College Station Mayor Ben White signed the Cool City Initiative, planning to review the policies in place and find a means of reducing the city's fossil fuel emissions. "The ultimate goal [of College Station Cool Cities] is to reduce the greenhouse gas level to seven percent below the 1990 level in this community."
George Rogers, professor of landscape architecture and urban planning, said he is excited to see the change in the city. "There is a long way to go, but I am thrilled."
Rogers said his lifestyle reflects energy efficiency in a simple home with windows oriented to the south to reflect the sun in the summer and solar panels to absorb the sun in the winter.
"Fifteen percent of College Station's energy by 2014 will be wind power," said John Crompton, professor of recreation parks and tourism and a member of the College Station City Council. "The biggest amount in Texas for this size of city."
Crompton said College Station made positive moves to hybrid vehicle fleets, a 50,000 tree planting program by the utility department, the creation of hike and bike lanes around the city and a new tree preservation ordinance that will stop the clear cutting of trees for developments.
"This ordinance will be in place within six weeks," Crompton said.
Tackitt asked: "What more should be done to make our community more energy efficient?"
Grosgebauer said daily lifestyle choices were the greatest importance.
Grosgebauer said eating less meat is an easy way to make our community more energy efficient because "the energy put into its process is far greater than even driving your car."
Hugh Stern, local business owner of Sterns' Construction, which specializes in green buildings, and founder of Brazos Progressives, suggested ways to improve mass transit in the community including combing the University's transit with the Brazos transit system. Stern's biggest concern is stopping sprawled development.
George Rogers, professor of landscape architecture and urban planning, said he is excited to see the change in the city. "There is a long way to go, but I am thrilled."
Rogers said his lifestyle reflects energy efficiency in a simple home with windows oriented to the south to reflect the sun in the summer and solar panels to absorb the sun in the winter.
"Fifteen percent of College Station's energy by 2014 will be wind power," said John Crompton, professor of recreation parks and tourism and a member of the College Station City Council. "The biggest amount in Texas for this size of city."
Crompton said College Station made positive moves to hybrid vehicle fleets, a 50,000 tree planting program by the utility department, the creation of hike and bike lanes around the city and a new tree preservation ordinance that will stop the clear cutting of trees for developments.
"This ordinance will be in place within six weeks," Crompton said.
Tackitt asked: "What more should be done to make our community more energy efficient?"
Grosgebauer said daily lifestyle choices were the greatest importance.
Grosgebauer said eating less meat is an easy way to make our community more energy efficient because "the energy put into its process is far greater than even driving your car."
Hugh Stern, local business owner of Sterns' Construction, which specializes in green buildings, and founder of Brazos Progressives, suggested ways to improve mass transit in the community including combing the University's transit with the Brazos transit system. Stern's biggest concern is stopping sprawled development.
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